Rumours of Athabasca Universityís demise seem to have been greatly exaggerated.
Uncertainty about the schoolís future swirled last week after an executive shakeup. That news, combined with rumblings in the blogosphere about AUís potential closure or merging with the University of Alberta sparked concerns that the school as it currently exists may not be long for this world.
The uncertainty surrounding the coming provincial budget also served as fodder for rumours and concern about just how it will impact AU now and in the future.
The uncertainty prodded AU president Frits Pannekoek to address staff in a memo, assuring them there was no truth to the rumours of a merger or closure and citing direct assurances from Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education Thomas Lukaszuk and local MLA Jeff Johnson.
AU communications manager John OíBrien, while declining to provide details on the organizational shakeup that precipitated much of the uncertainty, also had words of comfort for the community, telling them the university isnít going anywhere.
Itís understandable for people to be concerned with the wellbeing of AU, as itís a significant employer and a long standing staple of the area. A vibrant and healthy Athabasca University means only good things for the town and county and the region itself.
As much as possible, members of the community should refrain from engaging in rumour. Anyone who has played the childhood game of ëtelephoneí knows that a message relayed enough times ultimately gets warped and creates confusion. No facts exist to suggest AU will not continue to be a cornerstone of the community, and until that changes, worrying serves no purpose.
